Golf putting practice device

ABSTRACT

A golf putting practice device embodying a ball receiving pocket simulating an actual putting cup and operable to kick a ball received in the device back to the person making a putt. The device includes a front ramp having a central portion which rises to a lesser height and at a lesser slope than the portions on either side thereof. A second ramp slopes rearwardly and downwardly from the front ramp to a floor area including a pocket which simulates a putting cup. The floor area around the pocket is inclined so that all balls thereon will roll into the pocket. The rear wall of the pocket remote from the front ramp may include a concave depression straddled by two flanges which together provide a recess for receiving a golf ball to be ejected from the pocket. The ejection device may be a solenoid including a coil and a plunger held in a retracted position by a compression coil spring. The ejection device is actuated when the ball engages a plunger type switch which may be located in the depression in the rear wall of the pocket. The central portions of the front and rear ramps are straddled by upstanding ribs which may guide a properly putted ball into the pocket. Additional upstanding guiding ribs are provided on the side portions of the front ramp and the floor of the pocket. The bottom surface of the pocket slopes downwardly and rearwardly so that any ball thereon is caused to roll rearward to the ejection device. An inclined portion of the pocket&#39;&#39;s bottom surface adjacent the ejection device is so sloped that an ejected ball is caused to engage same and be thrown forwardly over the top of the front ramp.

United States Patent Brandell [54] GOLF PUTTING PRACTICE DEVICE [72] Inventor: John R. Brandell, Glenview, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Brandell Products Corporation,

Rosemont, Ill.

22 Filed: Aug. 23, 1971 21 Appl. No.1 173,794

[52] US. Cl. ..273/ 179 A [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 57/00 [58] Field of Search ..273/l78, 179, 180, 127, 184, 273/185 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,003,769 10/ 1961 Brandell ..273/ 179 A 3,030,113 4/1962 Brandell ..273/l79 A 3,306,619 2/ i967 Brandell ..273/179 A Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attorney-Johnston, Root, O'Keeffe, Keil, Thompson & Shurtleff l 5 7] ABSTRACT A golf putting practice device embodying a ball receiving pocket simulating an actual putting cup and operable to kick a ball received in the device back to 51 Oct. 10, 1972 the person making a putt. The device includes a front ramp having a central portion which rises to a lesser height and at a lesser slope than the portions on either side thereof. A second ramp slopes rearwardly and downwardly from the front ramp to a floor area including a pocket which simulates a putting cup. The floor area around the pocket is inclined so that all balls thereon will roll into the pocket. The rear wall of the pocket remote from the front ramp may include a concave depression straddled by two flanges which together provide a recess for receiving a golf ball to be ejected from the pocket. The ejection device may be a solenoid including a coil and a plunger held in a retracted position by a compression coil spring. The ejection device is actuated when the ball engages a plunger type switch which may be located in the depression in the rear wall of the pocket. The central portions of the front and rear ramps are straddled by upstanding ribs which may guide a properly putted ball into the pocket. Additional upstanding guiding ribs are provided on the side portions of the front ramp and the floor of the pocket. The bottom surface of the pocket slopes downwardly and rearwardly so that any ball thereon is caused to roll rearward to the ejection device. An inclined portion of the pockets bottom surface adjacent the ejection device is so sloped that an ejected ball is caused to engage same and be thrown forwardly over the top of the front ramp.

23 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures P ATE N TED 10 I973 3.6 97. 079

sum 1 [IF 3 6 MIN hill.

INVENTOR.

55 M JOHN R. RA IVDELL ;\\\\\\\\\\\\w 22 BY ,PA'TENTEDBBI 10 I 12 3.697.079 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR JOHN R. BRA/VDELL Jr: a

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to golf putting practice devices, and, more particularly, to golf putting practice devices of the type adapted to return a ball to a person making a putt.

It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel golf putting practice device.

Another object is to afford a novel golf putting practice device which, after receiving the ball, will return the same substantially to the place or station from which it was putted into the device.

A further object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting practice device of the-aforementioned type, which will return the ball to a golfer making a putt by knocking or kicking the ball from the device.

Golf putting practice devices which will kick the ball back to a person using the same, have been heretofore known in the art, such as, for example, as shown in my U.S. Letters Pat. Nos. 2,709,594, 3,003,769, 3,030,113, 3,134,597 and 3,134,934 and in U.S. betters Pat. No. 2,908,503, issued to C. J. Austin, et aL, and the like. It is an importantobject of the present invention to afford novel improvements over the golf putting practice devices heretofore known in the art.

Another object .of the present invention is to afford a novel, effective simulation, in a golf putting practice device, of the cup used in actually playing a game of golf.

Another object is to afford a novel golf putting practice device, which, in the use thereof, affords an effective simulation of the act of actually making a putt when playing a game of golf.

Yet another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting practice device which will indicate in a novel and expeditious manner to a person making a putt thereinto the quality of the putt.

An object ancillary to the foregoing is to afford a novel golf putting practice device for use by the highly skilled and unskilled golfer, alike.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting practice device of the aforementioned type, operable to kick a ball received therein back to the person making a putt, wherein the return of the ball is effected in a novel and expeditious manner.

Yet another object is to afford a novel golf putting practice device wherein a kicker element and the support for a golf ball are so constituted and arranged that a golf ball putted into the device may be bounced, or tossed out of the device and back to the person making the putt in a novel and expeditious manner.

A further object is to afford a novel golf putting practice device which will effectively return all balls putted thereinto.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting practice device which is practical and efficient in operation, and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a golf putting practice device embodying the principles of the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the golf putting practice device shown in FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, bottom plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1, with a portion of the device broken away to show underlying parts;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a modified form of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the golf putting practice device shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS SHOWN HEREIN A golf putting practice device 1, embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1 to S, inclusive, of the drawings to illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The golf putting practice device 1 embodies, in general, a base 2 having an upwardly opening pocket 3 therein for receiving a putted golf ball, with a kicker device 4 being disposed adjacent to the pocket 3 for returning a putted ball from the device 1 to the person putting the ball thereinto.

The base 2 includes an elongated, laterally upstanding wall 5, having an intermediate or rear portion 6 extending between two side portions 7 and 8, FIG. 1. The wall 5 extends along the periphery of the base 2, and the side portions 7 and 8 terminate at their front ends 9 and 10, respectively, at the front end of the device 1, in uniplana'r relation to the front edge 1 1 of a floor 12.

The front edge portion 13 of the floor 12 includes a front ramp l4 sloping upwardly and rearwardly from the front edge 11, and a rear ramp l5 sloping downwardly and rearwardly from the rear edge portion 16 of the front ramp 14, the ramps 14 and 15 extending between, and being supported by the front end portions of the side portions 7 and 8 of the wall 5. The floor 12 also includes a main body portion 17 which extends rearwardly from the rear edge portion 18 of the rear ramp l5 and is supported by the portions 68 of the wall 5 at a higher elevation than the front edge 11. Preferably, the side wall 5 and the floor 12 are of onepiece construction, being molded of any suitable material, such as, for example, high impact polystyrene, or the like.

An opening or hole 19 is formed in the floor 12 to define the upper end of the pocket 3, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently. In the preferred form of golf putting practice device 1 shown in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, the opening 19 is formed in the rear edge portion of the rear ramp l5 and the front portion of the main body portion 17 of the floor 12 in centered position between the portions 7 and 8 of the wall 5, the opening 19 terminating at its rear edge in forwardly spaced relation to the rear portion 6 of the wall 5. An elongated ridge or abutment member 20, which is formed integrally with the main body portion 17 of the floor 12, extends across the upper face of the floor 12 between the rear portion 6 of the wall 5 and the rear edge of the hole 19, midway between the wall portions 7 and 8, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

The pocket 3 includes an upstanding side wall 21 defining the outer periphery thereof, and a bottom wall 22 extending across and closing the bottom of the side wall 21. The pocket 3 is substantially circular in transverse cross section except for a relatively small concave-outwardly indentation or depression 23 formed in the portion thereof disposed substantially diametrically opposite the front edge 11 of the floor 12. Two upstanding flanges 24 and 25 project toward the front edge 11 of the floor 12 from the opposite sides of the depression 23 in substantially parallel relation to each other, and, together with the depression 23 afford a recess for receiving a golf ball to be ejected from the device 1, as will be discussed in greater detail presently. The diameter of the pocket 3, parallel to the front edge 11, preferably is the same as the diameter of a standard putting cup on a golf course, namely, in the nature of 4% inches.

Four relatively narrow, upstanding, elongated ribs or flanges 26, 27, 28 and 29 extend across the upper face of the front ramp 14 from the front edge 11 to the rear edge 16 thereof in substantially parallel, spaced relation to each other. The central ribs 27 and 28 are spaced from each other the same distance as the inner diameter of the opening 19, and are disposed in longitudinal alignment with respective diametrically opposite sides of the opening 19. The flanges 26 and 29 are disposed midway between the wall portion 7 and the flange 27 and the wall portion 8 and the flange 28, respectively, the spacing of the flanges 26 and 29 from the respective adjacent flanges 27 and 28 and the respective adjacent portions of the wall 5 being greater then the width of a golf ball so that such a ball may be rolled upwardly through such spaces on to the main body portion 17 of the floor 12 for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

Two flanges 30 and 31 extend rearwardly from the rear ends of the flanges 27 and 28, respectively, across the rear ramp to the opening 19 at a converging angle relative to each other. The rear ends 32 and 33 of the flanges 30 and 31, respectively, are spaced from each other a distance only slightly greater than the diameter of a golf ball, such as, for example, threequarters of an inch greater than such diameter.

As will be discussed in greater detail presently, the golf putting practice device 1 is constructed in such a manner that an effective indication is afforded a person using the device as to the quality of a putt made thereinto. Thus, if a golf ball is putted from in front of the device 1 onto the ramp l3, and if it is putted into the portion 34 of the ramp 13, disposed between the ribs 27 and 28 at sufficient speed to move upwardly over the rear edge portion 16 thereof, it will roll downwardly along the rear ramp 15 into the pocket 3, thus indicating that the putt was of such a nature that it would have been holed if it had been made during a regular golf game. On the other hand, if the ball that is putted passes upwardly over any one of the portions 35-38 of the ramp 13 disposed outwardly of the portion 34, it will roll downwardly along the rear ramp 15 onto the main body portion 17 of the floor 12 outwardly of the pocket 3, and then pass by gravity thereinto, to thereby indicate that it would have been wide of the cup and have been a missed putt if made in a regular golf game.

In addition, it will be seen that with the rear ends 32 and 33 of the ribs 30 and 31 disposed apart a distance only slightly greater than the diameter of a golf ball, such a putt passing directly therebetween is shown to have been a perfect putt insofar as line of travel is concerned, having been directed toward the very center of the pocket 3; and if the ball passes upwardly through the portion 34 of the ramp 13 into the pocket but strikes one of the flanges 30 or 31, while passing into the pocket 3, the golfer is afforded an indication that, although the putt was a good putt, insofar as direction of travel was concerned, which would have fallen into the hole in a regular golf game, the fact that it did strike one of the flanges 30 or 31 shows that it was not a perfect putt.

Also, as may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the preferred form of the golf putting practice device 1 shown in FIGS. l-5 of the drawings, the portion 34 of the front ramp 14 projects upwardly and rearwardly at a lesser angle than the portions 35-38. This construction affords another method of indicating the quality of a putt made into the device 1. Thus, for example, a putt which is made at just the proper speed onto the portion 34 of the ramp 13 will move upwardly along the front ramp 14 and just trickle over the rear edge 16 thereof and then pass downwardly into the pocket 3. Putts which are made on perfect line but at too great a speed to have been a perfect putt, but at a sufficiently slow speed that they would have been holed if made in an actual game of golf, will fall into the pocket 3 rearwardly of the front edge portion thereof, and putts of this nature which are made at such speed that they would have rolled across the cup in a regular golf game will fly across the pocket 3 and strike the front face of the rib 20. Also, putts which were made at too great a speed, and which were merely good putts rather than perfect putts, insofar as line was concerned, will strike one of the ribs 30 or 31 and glance therefrom with sufficient force to cause them to move across the portion 34 and strike the other rib 31 or 30, respectively, on their way into the pocket 3.

Thus, with the device 1 constructed in the manner shown in FIGS. l-5, the quality of a putt made onto the portion 34 of the ramp 13, which would have been a holed putt in a regular golf game, is indicated both as to direction and speed of travel.

All portions of the main body portion 17 of the floor 12 are concave-downwardly toward the opening 19 and are inclined theretoward at a ball-impelling angle, such as, for example, five degrees. Thus, it will be seen that any golf ball coming to rest on the main body portion 17 will roll by gravity into the pocket 3.

The rear portion 6 of the wall 5 and those portions of the side portions 7 and 8 of the wall 5 disposed rearwardly of the rear ramp preferably project substantially vertically above the top surface of the body portion 17 of the floor 12 a distance greater than the radius of a golf ball. Also, the side walls of the ridge preferably extend substantially vertically above the top surface of the main body portion 17 of the floor 12 a distance slightly greater than the radius of a golf ball. With this construction, it is substantially insured that any golf ball putted up any one of the portions -38 of the ramp 13 will be retained on the device 1 in such a manner that it will fall into the pocket 3, even though it is putted at such a speed that it strikes the wall 5 or the ridge 20 with considerable force, the ball, under such conditions, tending to bounce straight up in the air'and come back down on the main body portion 17 of the floor 12.

In addition, the ridge 20 serves the important function of slowing the speed of any ball putted upwardly over any of the portions 35-38 of the ramp 17, on either side of the pocket 3, and which may tend to glance off from the wall 5 and pass on around the pocket 3, so as to substantially insure that any such putted ball will not pass around the pocket 3 and exit through one of the other of the portions 35-38 of the ramp 13. The rearward and downward inclination of the rear ramp 15 also tends to assist in preventing such a ball from passing forwardly over the ramp 13 and exiting from the device 1. Thus, it is substantially insured that any ball putted with sufficient force to move over the rear edge 16 of the front ramp 14 will be retained on the device 1 in such a manner as to cause it to fall into the pocket 3.

It will be remembered that the golf putting practice device 1 embodies a kicker device 4 for returning a putted ball to the person making the putt. The kicker device 4 comprises a solenoid 39 embodying a coil 40 and a plunger 41 normally held in retracted position by a compression coil spring 42, FIG. 3. The base 2 has a socket 43, FIG. 3, afforded by two parallel ribs 44 and 45, FIG. 4, which project downwardly from the floor 12. The socket 43 is so disposed in the base 2 that when the kicker device 4 is disposed in operative position therein, it is disposed immediately behind the depression 23 with the plunger 41 disposed in axial alignment with, and immediately behind, an opening 46, FIG. 2, formed in the portion of the side wall 21 of the pocket 3 in which the depression 23 is formed. A bottom plate 47 is removably mounted by suitable means such as screws 48 on the rear portion of the base 2 in the assembled golf putting practice device 1 in underlying relation to the kicker device 4, FIGS. 3 and 4. The socket 43 is so disposed in the base 2, that, in the assembled device 1, the bottom plate 47 snugly retains the kicker device 4 therein. In its normal, at-rest position the plunger 41 is fully retracted and yieldingly held in abutting engagement with the rear portion 49 of the wall 5, FIG. 3.

The flanges 24 and 25 disposed on opposite sides of the depression 23 preferably are spaced from each other a distance only slightly greater than the diameter of a golf ball, such as, for example, thirty-thousandths of an inch. The depression 23 preferably is of such size and configuration that it is complementary to the outside size and shape of that portion of a golf ball which is disposed therein, when the ball is disposed between the flanges 24 and 25 in its most rearward position in the pocket 20. Preferably, the flanges 24 and 25 project inwardly from the side wall 21 of the pocket 20 such a distance that when a golf ball is so disposed in the depression 23, they project beyond the center of the golf ball a short distance such as, for example, one-sixteenth of an inch to one-eighth of an inch. With the recess thus afforded by the depression 23 and the flanges 24 and 25 of such size, it affords an effective holding device for holding a ball to be ejected in proper position in the pocket 3.

A control switch 50, FIG. 4, is connected between the solenoid coil 40 and the power cord 51, and a plunger type switch button 52 is disposed in the recess 23 of the pocket side wall 21 in position to be engaged by a ball, such as the ball B, FIG. 1, disposed in operative position in the recess 23, to thereby close the switch and actuate the solenoid 39.

The entire upper face of the bottom 22 of the pocket 3 slopes downwardly and rearwardly at not less than a ball impelling angle, such as, for example, five degrees, so that balls disposed in the pocket 3 will be caused to roll toward the rear thereof. The portion 53 of the bottom 22 of the pocket 20, FIG. 3, on which a golf ball, such as the ball B rests, when it is disposed in its aforementioned rearwardmost position in the depression 23, is at a somewhat greater angle such as, for example, fifteen degrees. This portion 53 is disposed between the flanges 24 and 25 and extends forwardly and rearwardly of the inner edge thereof a sufficient distance to insure that a ball to be ejected from the golf putting practice device 1 is resting thereon and is supported entirely thereby at the time it is to be ejected. The angle of inclination of the portion 53 of the bottom 22 is such that when a ball is disposed in operative position in the depression 23 and is struck by the plunger 41 of the kicker element 4 in an ejecting operation, the engagement of the portion 53 with the ball is such that the ball is caused to bounce or be thrown forwardly over the top 16 of the front edge portion 13 of the floor l2 and be returned to the person who made the putt.

The angle of inclination of the portion 53, of course, will vary with the height of the ramp, such as the ramp 13, over which it is to be ejected, and with the force with which the ball is struck by the kicker element such as the kicker element 4. For example, it has been found that with the ramp 13 having a height of one and fiveeighths inches above the area 53, and with the kicker element 4 striking the ball at an upwardly inclined angle of 5 with a force sufficient to roll a golf ball 20 to 25 feet across the. usual carpet, the slope of the area 4 may be 13 to 20, and preferably is in the nature of 15.

Two other elongated ribs 54 and 55 project upwardly from the bottom 22 of the pocket 3 on opposite sides of the recess 23, FIGS. 1 and 2. The ribs 54 and 55 preferably are curved and so disposed on the bottom 22 as to be concentric to the respective immediately adjacent portion of the side wall 21 of the pocket 3. The upper surfaces of the ribs 54 and 55 slope downwardly and forwardly at a relatively steep ball impelling angle, such as, for example, 20 to 25. The ribs 54 and 55 are so disposed between the flanges 24 and 25 and the adjacent laterally outwardly disposed portions of the side wall 21 of the pocket 3, that a golf ball that might otherwise rest against the outer face of either the flange 24 or 25, respectively, must be disposed on the upper face of the respective rib 54 or 55. The ribs 54 and 55 are spaced from the side wall 21 of the pocket 3 less than the radius of such a golf ball, and, therefore, any ball which might roll along the outside of the pocket 3 toward such engagement with the outside of one of the flanges 24 and 25 must roll up onto the respective rib 54 or 55 from which it will topple or roll inwardly toward the center of the pocket 3 and thus roll down the bottom 22 into the depression 23. Thus, it is insured that any ball falling into the pocket 19 will roll into the recess 23 to be ejected by the kicker 4.

In FIGS. 6 to 8, inclusive, a modified form of the present invention is shown, with parts which are the same as parts shown in FIGS. 1-5 being indicated by the same reference numerals, and with parts which are similar to but have been substituted for parts shown in FIGS. 1-5 being indicated by the same reference numerals with the suffix a added thereto.

The golf putting practice device 1a shown in FIGS. 6-8 is of the same construction as the device 1 shown in FIGS. l-S except that the height and slope of the front edge portion 13a of the floor 12 is the same throughout the width of the base 2a; the pocket 3a is disposed rearwardly of the rear edge 18a of the rear ramp 15a; and the indentation 23 in the opening 19 has been eliminated.

Preferably the height and the slope of the front ramp 14a is such that when a putted ball just trickles over the top or rear edge 16a thereof the speed of the ball is that of a perfect putt. With this construction, a golfer may determine whether the line of the putt was such as to qualify as a perfect putt by observing whether the putted ball passed over the top of the front ramp 14a in alignment with the ridge a.

As in the floor 12, shown in FIGS. 1-5, all portions of the main body portion 17a of the floor 12a are concave-downwardly toward the pocket 3a. This includes the front portion 56 thereof, which is disposed between the rear edge 18a of the rear ramp 15a and the opening 19a, the pocket 3a being spaced rearwardly from the front edge portion 130.

With this construction, all balls putted onto the main body portion 17a of the floor 12a, except balls putted at such terrific speed as to cause the balls to bounce out of the device 1a, pass by gravity into the pocket 3a and are returned to the golfer by the kicker device 4 in the same manner as heretofore discussed with respect to the golf putting practice device shown in FIGS. 1-5.

With the golf putting practice device 1a constructed in the aforementioned manner, when a person putts a golf ball into any portion thereof he is afforded a visual indication of whether the speed of the putt was proper. Thus, as previously mentioned, a perfect putt insofar as speed is concerned, will merely trickle over the top 16a of the front ramp 14a; a ball which is putted at too slow a speed will not roll over the top of the front ramp 14a and will roll back toward the person putting the same; and a ball which was putted at too great a speed will pass over the top of the front ramp 14a at a speed at which it will fly onto, or over the rear ramp 15a.

Also, a person using the device 1a is afiorded a visual indication of the quality of the direction or line of a putt made thereinto. Thus, a perfect putt will roll over the front ramp 14a between the ribs 27 and 28, and into the pocket 3a without striking the ribs 30a and 31a; a good putt, which is somewhat less accurately directed than a perfect putt but which, nevertheless, was sufficiently accurate that it would have been a holed putt in an actual golf game, will pass across the ramp 14a between the ribs 27 and 28, but will strike one or both of the ribs 30a and 31a on its passage into the pocket 3a; and a putt, the direction of which is sufficiently poor that it would have constituted a missed putt in an actual golf game, will pass across the ramp 14a outwardly of the passageway afforded between the ribs 27 and 28, and onto a portion of the main body portion 17a of the floor 12a disposed to the left or right of the pocket 3a and will then roll by gravity into the pocket 3a.

Thus, it will be seen that the golf putting practice device 1a, like the device 1, is constructed in such a manner as to afford an effective indication of the quality of both the direction and speed of a putt made thereinto.

In addition, the recess in the rear of the pocket 3a is defined by the flanges 24a and 25a and the rear portion of the circular side wall 21a of the opening 19a, the recess 23 of the pocket 3, shown in FIGS. 1-5, having been eliminated. With this construction, the flanges 24a and 25a preferably project forwardly in the pocket 3a to a position wherein they project a short distance, such as one-eighth of an inch, past the center of a golf ball disposed in full rearward position therebetween. The ribs 54a and 55a are disposed adjacent the front end of the ribs 24a and 25a in the same relative position thereto as the ribs 54 and 55 are disposed relative to the ribs 24 and 25, as previously described, so as to insure passage of golf balls into the recess afforded by the ribs 24a and 25a.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf putting practice device which may be effectively used by both the good golfer and the poor golfer.

Also, the present invention affords a novel golf putting practice device which is effective to return both good and bad putts to a golfer making the same.

In addition, it will be seen that the present invention afiords a novel golf putting practice device, which is operable to effectively indicate to a golfer making a putt thereinto the degree of quality of his putt through all ranges thereof from a bad putt which would have been wide of an actual golf hole, or would have been too fast or too slow, to a perfect" putt which was at the proper speed and directly on line with the center of the hole, through the range of a good putt, which would have fallen into a hole if it had been made in an actual golf game, but which was slightly off line from the center of the hole or was too slow or too fast to have constituted a perfect putt.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf putting practice device which is practical and efficient in operation and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A golf putting practice device comprising a. a base including 1. a floor, and 2. an elongated wall a. projecting laterally upwardly from a peripheral edge of said floor, and

b. terminating at its opposite ends on respective sides of a front edge portion of said floor,

b. said front edge portion including 1. a front ramp sloping upwardly and rearwardly from the front edge of said floor, and 2. a rear ramp sloping downwardly and rearwardly from said front ramp,

0. the remainder of said floor, rearwardly of said front edge portion, having a ball receiving pocket therein,

d. said remainder of said floor being inclined in all directions outwardly of said pocket at a ball impelling angle toward said pocket, and

e. kicker means for ejecting a ball from said pocket.

2. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said pocket is disposed in spaced relation to said wall.

3. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 2, including a. an abutment member 1. projecting upwardly from said floor, and 2. extending from said wall to said pocket on the side of said pocket remote from said ramp.

4. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 3, and in which a. said pocket has a recess in the side thereof remote from said ramp for receiving a ball to be ejected, and

b. said kicker means is disposed below said abutment member in position to eject a ball from said recess.

5. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and

a. which includes 1. two spaced ribs projecting upwardly from the bottom of said pocket in position to receive a ball therebetween, and

b. in which 1. said kicker means is disposed below said floor in position to eject a ball from between said ribs outwardly of said pocket.

6. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 5, and in which a. said ribs are disposed in the side of said pocket remote from said ramp, and

b. the bottom of said pocket is inclined at a ball impelling angle'toward the space between said ribs.

7. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and

a. in which said pocket has a depression in the side thereof remote from said ramp for receiving a ball to be ejected, and

b. which includes two ribs projecting from said side of said pocket toward said ramp on respective sides of said depression in position to guidingly receive such a ball therebetween when said ball is 5 disposed in said depression, and

c. in which said kicker means is disposed below said floor in position to eject such a ball from said depression and from between said ribs outwardly of said pocket. 8. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 7, and in which a. the bottom of said pocket has an inclined portion disposed in such position that such a ball rests thereon when said ball is so disposed in said depression, and b. said portion is inclined at such an angle as to be effective to cause said ball to bounce over the top of said ramp when said ball is ejected from said depression by said kicker means. 9. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said front ramp comprises 1. an intermediate portion, and

2. two outside portions disposed on opposite sides of said intermediate portion, and

b. the angle of slope and the height of said intermediate portion are less than that of said outside portions.

10. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 9, and

a. which includes two substantially parallel, upwardly projecting, elongated ribs extending across said front ramp from said front edge to said rear ramp along opposite sides of said intermediate portion.

11. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 10, and in which a. said ribs are spaced from each other substantially the width of said pocket.

12. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 9, and

a. which includes two elongated, spaced ribs, and b. in which 1. said ribs have a. front portions extending across said front ramp from said front edge to said rear ramp along opposite sides of said intermediate portion in substantially parallel relation to each other, and

b. rear portions extending across said rear ramp from said front ramp to said pocket at a converging angle relative to each other,

2. said front portions of saidribs are spaced from each other substantially the width of said pocket.

13. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 12, and which includes a. two other elongated ribs extending across respective ones of said two outside portions in substantially parallel spaced relation to said front portions of said first mentioned ribs.

14. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said front ramp comprises 1. an intermediate portion, and

2. two outside portions disposed on opposite sides of said intermediate portion, and

b. the height of said intermediate portion is less than that of said outside portions. 15. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. the angle of slope and the height of said front ramp are substantially uniform between said ends of said wall. 16. A golf putting practice device comprising a. a base including 1 a floor, and 2. an elongated wall a. projecting laterally upwardly from a peripheral edge of said floor, and b. terminating at its opposite ends on respective sides of a front edge portion of said floor, said front edge portion including a ramp having a front portion sloping upwardly and rearwardly from the front edge of said floor toward the remainder of said floor, c. said remainder l having a ball receiving pocket therein, and 2. in all directions outwardly of said pocket, sloping at a ball impelling angle toward said pocket, and d. kicker means for ejecting a ball from said pocket outwardly over said ramp. 17. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 16, and in which a. said pocket includes 1. an upstanding, peripheral side wall extending downwardly below said remainder of said floor, 2. a ball receiving recess in the side of said pocket remote from said ramp and opening toward said ramp, and 3. a bottom wall sloping toward said recess at a ball impelling angle. 18. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 17, and in which a. said recess comprises a depression in said side wall. 19. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 18, and in which a. said recess includes two upstanding ribs disposed on opposite sides of said depression and extending therefrom toward said ramp. 20. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 17, and in which a. said recess comprises two upstanding ribs on said bottom wall and projecting from said side wall toward said ramp in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each other. 21. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 20, and

a. which includes two elongated ribs projecting upwardly from said bottom wall outwardly of respective ones of said first mentioned ribs in position to guide balls disposed outwardly of said first mentioned ribs into said recess. 22. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 20, and

a. which includes two elongated ribs projecting upwardly from said bottom wall outwardly of respective ones of said first mentioned ribs, and b. in which 1. said elongated ribs are disposed in position to u rtaball is sed betwe nsai res ctive fir s mentioned ri s and the latera ly a facent portion of said side wall, and 2. the upper surface of each of said elongated ribs slopes downwardly toward said bottom wall in a direction toward said ramp at a ball impelling angle effective to cause a ball disposed on either of said elongated ribs to roll downwardly therealong into position on said bottom wall to roll into said chamber. 23. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 17, and in which a. a portion of said bottom wall is disposed in said recess, and b. said portion of said bottom wall is inclined at such an angle as to so support a ball in said recess effective to cause said ball to bounce over the top of said ramp outwardly from said pocket when said ball is ejected from said recess by said kicker means. 

1. A golf putting practice device comprising a. a base including
 1. a floor, and
 2. an elongated wall a. projecting laterally upwardly from a peripheral edge of said floor, and b. terminating at its opposite ends on respective sides of a front edge portion of said floor, b. said front edge portion including
 1. a front ramp sloping upwardly and rearwardly from the front edge of said floor, and
 2. a rear ramp sloping downwardly and rearwardly from said front ramp, c. the remainder of said floor, rearwardly of said front edge portion, having a ball receiving pocket therein, d. said remainder of said floor being inclined in all directions outwardly of said pocket at a ball impelling angle toward said pocket, and e. kicker means for ejecting a ball from said pocket.
 2. two outside portions disposed on opposite sides of said intermediate portion, and b. the angle of slope and the height of said intermediate portion are less than that of said outside portions.
 2. in all directions outwardly of said pocket, slopinG at a ball impelling angle toward said pocket, and d. kicker means for ejecting a ball from said pocket outwardly over said ramp.
 2. extending from said wall to said pocket on the side of said pocket remote from said ramp.
 2. the upper surface of each of said elongated ribs slopes downwardly toward said bottom wall in a direction toward said ramp at a ball impelling angle effective to cause a ball disposed on either of said elongated ribs to roll downwardly therealong into position on said bottom wall to roll into said chamber.
 2. a ball receiving recess in the side of said pocket remote from said ramp and opening toward said ramp, and
 2. two outside portions disposed on opposite sides of said intermediate portion, and b. the height of said intermediate portion is less than that of said outside portions.
 2. an elongated wall a. projecting laterally upwardly from a peripheral edge of said floor, and b. terminating at its opposite ends on respective sides of a front edge portion of said floor, b. said front edge portion including
 2. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said pocket is disposed in spaced relation to said wall.
 2. a rear ramp sloping downwardly and rearwardly from said front ramp, c. the remainder of said floor, rearwardly of said front edge portion, having a ball receiving pocket therein, d. said remainder of said floor being inclined in all directions outwardly of said pocket at a ball impelling angle toward said pocket, and e. kicker means for ejecting a ball from said pocket.
 2. an elongated wall a. projecting laterally upwardly from a peripheral edge of said floor, and b. terminating at its opposite ends on respective sides of a front edge portion of said floor, b. said front edge portion including a ramp having a front portion sloping upwardly and rearwardly from the front edge of said floor toward the remainder of said floor, c. said remainder
 2. said front portions of said ribs are spaced from each other substantially the width of said pocket.
 3. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 2, including a. an abutment member
 3. a bottom wall sloping toward said recess at a ball impelling angle.
 4. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 3, and in which a. said pocket has a recess in the side thereof remote from said ramp for receiving a ball to be ejected, and b. said kicker means is disposed below said abutment member in position to eject a ball from said recess.
 5. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and a. which includes
 6. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 5, and in which a. said ribs are disposed in The side of said pocket remote from said ramp, and b. the bottom of said pocket is inclined at a ball impelling angle toward the space between said ribs.
 7. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and a. in which said pocket has a depression in the side thereof remote from said ramp for receiving a ball to be ejected, and b. which includes two ribs projecting from said side of said pocket toward said ramp on respective sides of said depression in position to guidingly receive such a ball therebetween when said ball is disposed in said depression, and c. in which said kicker means is disposed below said floor in position to eject such a ball from said depression and from between said ribs outwardly of said pocket.
 8. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 7, and in which a. the bottom of said pocket has an inclined portion disposed in such position that such a ball rests thereon when said ball is so disposed in said depression, and b. said portion is inclined at such an angle as to be effective to cause said ball to bounce over the top of said ramp when said ball is ejected from said depression by said kicker means.
 9. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said front ramp comprises
 10. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 9, and a. which includes two substantially parallel, upwardly projecting, elongated ribs extending across said front ramp from said front edge to said rear ramp along opposite sides of said intermediate portion.
 11. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 10, and in which a. said ribs are spaced from each other substantially the width of said pocket.
 12. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 9, and a. which includes two elongated, spaced ribs, and b. in which
 13. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 12, and which includes a. two other elongated ribs extending across respective ones of said two outside portions in substantially parallel spaced relation to said front portions of said first mentioned ribs.
 14. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said front ramp comprises
 15. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. the angle of slope and the height of said front ramp are substantially uniform between said ends of said wall.
 16. A golf putting practice device comprising a. a base including
 17. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 16, and in which a. said pocket includes
 18. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 17, and in which a. said recess comprises a depression in said side wall.
 19. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 18, and in which a. said recess includes two upstanding ribs disposed on opposite sides of said depression and extending therefrom toward said ramp.
 20. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 17, and in which a. said recess comprises two upstanding ribs on said bottom wall and projecting from said side wall toward said ramp in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each other.
 21. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 20, and a. which includes two elongated ribs projecting upwardly from said bottom wall outwardly of respective ones of said first mentioned ribs in position to guide balls disposed outwardly of said first mentioned ribs into said recess.
 22. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 20, and a. which includes two elongated ribs projecting upwardly from said bottom wall outwardly of respective ones of said first mentioned ribs, and b. in which
 23. A golf putting practice device as defined in claim 17, and in which a. a portion of said bottom wall is disposed in said recess, and b. said portion of said bottom wall is inclined at such an angle as to so support a ball in said recess effective to cause said ball to bounce over the top of said ramp outwardly from said pocket when said ball is ejected from said recess by said kicker means. 